ICC Champions Trophy 2013: England not favourites anymore - Cricket Special
Before the commencement of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand at home, England were considered to be the favourites for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Champions Trophy 2013, which is going to begin from June 6 at Cardiff.
However, their performance in the first two ODIs against the Black Caps has raised doubts among the sporting analysts.
The Poms are placed in group A along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and New Zealand. With the last match of the series scheduled to be played on Wednesday at Nottingham, the Kiwis have already sealed the battle with an unassailable
lead of two games to none.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Cook-c1026, the England captain, is disappointed after losing the ODI series and admitted that the visitors threw them out of the second match through an exceptional batting performance.
Having lost the opening ODI at Lord’s, it was widely expected that the home team would bounce back in the battle. However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980, who scored a wonderful century at Lord’s, rose to the occasion in Southampton as well, registering
an amazing knock of 189 not out. In reply to New Zealand’s 359, Cook and company managed merely 273 runs in their innings.
The left-handed opener admits that the Black Caps batted brilliantly and it was extremely difficult for his side to chase down a mountain-like score. Cook thinks that not losing too many wickets was the key behind New Zealand’s
success.
"Yeah, tough day, obviously huge credit to New Zealand,” he expressed. “They really batted us out of the game. We bowled pretty well until the 42nd, 43rd over but New Zealand built a huge platform, kept wickets in hand and when
you've got a guy on 100 not out and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129, it's very hard to stop them.”
Among many other cricketing pundits, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 coach, also stated that the hosts have a great chance of winning the competition because other teams may struggle to adjust to the English conditions.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Finn-c2566, their two premier bowlers in limited-overs formats, are presently struggling with fitness issues, which is the reason why they are not taking part in the on-going
three-match series.
The likes of Chris Woakes, Jade Dernbach and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TT-Bresnan-c2711, who are a part of England’s Champions Trophy squad, have looked completely out of sorts in the two ODIs against New Zealand, which is a massive concern for the team management.
Cook understands that his bowling line-up needs to raise their game, if their side is to have any chance in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2013, which begins on Thursday with the opening fixture between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
“[Lacking Broad and Finn] would be too easy an excuse and probably does http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 a disservice but we need to look at our plans for the Champions Trophy. Not sure if [Broad and Finn] will be fit for Trent Bridge,” Cook added.
It remains to be seen whether Broad and Finn would be able to take part in the mega event or not. In case they are not available for the group stage, it is surely going to hamper their team’s chances in the all-important tournament.
England’s premier batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806, is also not available for the Champions Trophy due to bone bruising of his right knee.
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